Masteries

Offense:
21

Defense:
0

Utility:
9

Introduction

Hello and welcome to my first build, for AP Nidalee. There are a few ways to build her when going AP, in this guide I will cover the main build that I use (the one at the top of page) and a few alternative builds.

After watching my friend play Nidalee for a while I finally purchased her myself and have decided to share with you the way I play her.

Please read the whole guide before commenting and any criticism is welcome.

Enjoy!

Pros / Cons

Pros

Spears are fun to use

Can heal herself

Good escaper (especially in jungle)

Can trap bushes to protect from ganks

Cons

Squishy

Can be hard to find your place in team fights

High mana costs early game

Abilities

This is what makes Nidalee great at escaping/catching up. Whenever you're running away, chasing an enemy or returning to lane, try and run through as many bushes as possible.
Of course, be sure that the bush isn't too far off route that makes the speed boost not worth it.

Cougar: Nidalee's next attack deals 40 / 70 / 100 (+1.0 per attack damage) additional damage, with a damage multiplier based on how low her opponent's life is. Damage multiplier is equal to 1 + (percentage of target's health missing/100). This attack cannot be dodged.

This is your main skill. Your spears dominate any squishy when playing AP, and still take a big chunk out of most champs.
It's a skill shot, which does more damage based on how far away you are when you've thrown the spear. However it will always hit the first target it hits so beware of minions.

In cougar form, this is the last part of your main combo. This will be covered later in the guide.

This is much like Caitlyn Yordle Snap Trap however it doesn't immobilize them. This is great for protecting yourself from ganks in lane phase.
Also the magic resist reduction is great for hitting harder with your spears

When in cougar form, this is the first part of your main combo. It's also the quickest way you can get around the map by spamming your W key. Read more on this later in the guide.

This is your heal. It's a click and cast spell that allows you to heal allies as well as yourself, as well as giving them a buff. Try and keep this off cooldown when in team fights to keep your carry alive.

When in cougar form, this is the 2nd part of your combo, read more later on.

Summoner Spells

- Flash is in my opinion the best escape spell. Make sure you use it to disorientate your enemy when possible, and not to just gain extra distance since your Bushwhack / Pounce is great for that.
It's also great to catch up to a fleeing enemy and finishing them off with a well thrown spear.

- I prefer this for my damaging spell, since I often find that my spears always seem to leave them with the smallest health bar possible and it's great for finishing them off.

Alternatives

- People like this for an escape spell, I personally do not. All it takes is a little CC to be thrown your way and you'll soon be caught up with. However, it's down to personal choice.

- This is a great spell but your DPS should be taking it and not you. Of course you can use it to aid your escape, but as I've said numerous times, your Bushwhack / Pounce is great for that.

Rylai's Crystal Scepter - This makes you more durable with the 500 Health boost, as well as giving you some more Ability Power. Add that in with the Unique Passive of slowing your enemy makes this a great second item.

Lich Bane - More mobile, extra magic resist, with a little more AP. Also the passive is great if you can jump into cougar form and pop off a Javelin Toss / Takedown quick enough.

Will of the Ancients - You may want to build this earlier if you're laning with another AP to give them spell vamp. Other than that, it's just more AP.

Abyssal Scepter - More Ability Power, plus more Magic Resist for yourself and lower any nearby enemies Magic Resist. This is a great last item to take if you're team is struggling to pull off the win.

Alternatives

Mejai's Soulstealer - Great to take if you feel that you're doing well and continue to do so to build up stacks.

Morello's Evil Tome - AP, CDR and Mana Regen. Good to take if you havn't brought any Mana Regen runes and are running low quickly, or just feel like you're waiting just that bit too long for your next spear.

Banshee's Veil - Nice to take if the enemy team has a lot of CC and it's starting to bug you. Plus the health, mana and Magic Resist makes this a nice item if you want to build a bit more tanky.

Using The Cougar/Team Fights

In this section, I'll briefly explain some of the uses of your cougar form

League of Legends is a team based, real time strategy game set in a mythical world of swords & magic where epic battles decide the fate of mystical nations. Game players take on the role of a Summoner who conjures and controls champions to fight for them at the Institute of War. During game play champions gain experience and items to enhance their skills and abilities. How players develop and play their champions can be the difference between a crushing defeat or a glorious victory!